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Every afternoon, I will post something for you to share with your family in the evening. It may be a talking point, a short video, a Scripture to read, etc.

Today’s Post…

A Bath on the Inside

Anne Graham Lotz writes in her book, The Daniel Prayer, that she read a little book by an old-timey revivalist that challenged readers to “look to our own hearts and the spiritual ground that had perhaps become hardened over time.” The author listed sins that at first glance Anne didn’t recognize in herself. But, by third reading, she saw herself in them all. She spent 7 days working through that list; confessing her sins. But, at the end, she said it felt like she’d had a bath on the inside!

For our Family Devo. time over the next week or so, let’s take a look at some items on that list, one sin each day. Let’s really let the Holy Spirit reveal to us if each is a sin we’ve been committing. Then, spend some time in confession.

Explain to your children that as Christians, our sins are paid for. But, when we sin, we should still ask forgiveness. It’s tempting to make a blanket statement such as, “Forgive me for all my sins.” But, Anne writes that the author in the little booklet pointed out that because we sin one at a time, we should review and repent of our sins one by one.

Why is it important to confess sin?

sin hinders our relationship with God

sin often leads to further sin and a hardened heart (begin not to even identify a sin as sin anymore)

personal revival

Today’s word: Ingratitude

As a family define gratitude/ingratitude and make sure everyone understands its meaning.

“a disposition to make a suitable return of benefits or services, or when no return can be made, with a desire to see the benefactor prosperous and happy…a virtue of the highest excellence, as it implies a feeling and generous heart, and a proper sense of duty.”

Ask, Do you have so much gratitude that it causes you to want to please God? That’s what can happen when we focus our hearts this way. Our hearts get excited and we want to bless and serve the Lord even more!

Make a list of things to show gratitude to God for. This list can include things like salvation, but also specific blessings you’re family has received.

Challenge your family to look for things they should have gratitude for. Spend some time thanking God together.

This week’s Family Connection will be a little different and you can Comment and let me know if you like it. We will study one Bible event the whole week.

Read 1 Samuel 25:1-38.

Explain that you will unpack this story all week.

Today, we will just focus on the setting.

David was on the run from Saul. He went to a desert area. He was soon joined by 600 men (1 Samuel 23:13) . They were made up of men who were in distress, in debt, and discontented. (1 Samuel 22:2). David became Captain over them.

I found this picture for the Wilderness of Paran. You might be able to find another picture to show your family. If so, comment and share the link, please.

Every afternoon, I will post something for you to share with your family in the evening. It may be a talking point, a short video, a Scripture to read, etc.

Today’s Post…

Read James 1:4

Note: Some Bible translations use the word steadfastness, which is patience.

Talking Points:

Do you ever struggle with unanswered prayer?

Let family members share about something they have prayed repeatedly about.

Do you ever think, what’s the point? I don’t believe God will ever answer this prayer?

Do you ever question God because what you’re asking for seems like such a good thing that God would want to do?

Read John 14:13-14

Anne Graham Lotz wrote a beautiful article in the April edition of Mature Living (published by Lifeway). Although I’m not a senior, I always pick up a copy because the articles are so rich! I plan on reading the article to my family tonight. If you can get a hold of it, it would be a good read.

Here are some main points from the article…

Whatever you ask when it’s in My will is much different than I’ll do whatever you ask.

We often believe surely God wants to answer this good prayer I’m praying. Since His Word is true, we know that if our request were in line with His will, He would answer favorable.

So, there must be another reason.

For Anne, after praying her husband would get well from a terrible infection that had hospitalized him, she felt God wanted to do something for her husband on the inside. Something spiritual. Not physical.

She began to pray differently, asking God to give Danny a fresh touch from heaven – a glimpse of the “Lord seated on the high and lofty throne.” (Isaiah 6:1-8)

It’s then that she began to see God’s Spirit at work.

I am not to demand and assert my will, but to ask Him what He wants.

Ask Him how to pray so that His will is done in my life and in the lives of my loved ones as it is done in heaven.